Totnes School of Piano originated in Totnes in the UK in 2012. We blend experimentation and improvisation with traditional teaching approaches and encourage students to find musical freedom through listening and exploration.
"I can wholeheartedly recommend the Totnes School of Piano. It has been a wonderful experience to reconnect with the piano and do so in such a supportive and encouraging environment. My lessons were tailor-made to my individual interests and with my development as a musician, composer and human being in mind. I have had a lot of fun, too! If you are thinking of taking up the piano or exploring a new way of playing, this must be the place. Thank you very much!"
- Jodie Saunders
A whole new way of learning
"Sam’s teaching technique has opened up a whole new way of learning for me involving improvisation, setting tasks that allow exploration has really developed my musicality and confidence."
-Julie Mullen
Feel encouraged and supported
"Piano lesson with Sam is the highlight of my week. I always feel encouraged and supported by him in my journey with my piano. I had music lessons nearly all my life but now Sam helps me to relax, takes competition away and allows me to explore music in a much broader way. I enjoy every minute of it!"
-Ruth Clarke
Hi, I’m Sam.
Teaching improvisation is one of the delights of my musical life - as well as improvising myself. I was classically trained but also grew up to the sound of my parents' blues and jazz records. I studied improvisation, composition and piano with Alfred Nieman at the Guildhall School of Music after which I attended Dartington College of Arts. My interest in folk and ethnic music covers the entire world - I have a large collection of international LPs and CDs and use these as the basis of my technique of "active reduction", using diverse styles as the bases of composition and improvisation.
I teach improvisation because I have an almost missionary belief in it. In order to improvise effectively you have to listen - and listening is a much needed thing in the world today. You might say I'm an improvisation fundamentalist! I also love the way improvisation takes you to unexpected, sometimes unusual places.